Anderson has hauled down the United States flag
on Sumter and run up white flag. Fort has been burning for several hours from effect of
shells. Two explosions have been produced by shells. He has ceased firing some time, and
fire of all the batteries has been continuous till now--3 o'clock. Aides have been sent by
Beauregard to Sumter.

R. B. RHETT, JR.

CHARLESTON, S.C.,
April 13, 1861--2 p.m.

President JEFF. DAVIS,
Montgomery, Ala.:

Quarters in Sumter all
burned down. White flag up. Have sent a boat to receive surrender. But half an hour before
had sent a boat to stop our firing and offer assistance.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

CHARLESTON, S.C.,
April 13, 1861.

Gov. F. W. PICKENS

DEAR GOVERNOR: I have
sent Major Jones, Captain Hartstene, and Colonels Miles and Pryor to Major Anderson to
tell him that I offer him the same terms that I did on the 11th, and that a vessel or
steamer would be sent to him in the morning to take him to the steamer outside, and that
he must be responsible in the mean time for the fort; otherwise, I would put four
companies of artillery in there to-night. I also told Captain Hartstene to go out to the
fleet and tell them that the fort was now ours, but under the safe-keeping of Major
Anderson, and that no attack could be made upon it by them.
In the morning I will order two of Colonel
Ripley's companies and two of De Saussure's to take possession of Fort Sumter.